By: Sarah Chase

Someone recently asked me why the "Western" lifestyle is gaining such popularity in Britain and what is it about the prototypical American "Cowboy" image that is so appealing? 

Well, I figure it's because it represents a way of life that strives to defy convention.  As a collective conscience, the British seek to break away from established mores and social responsibilities in order to embrace individual freedoms and the supreme spirit of independence.  No figure so represents the defiance and confidence of independent life and thought like the American Cowboy (and Cowgirl). 

Rich Hall, in his latest documentary-diatribe for BBC on Hollywood films, discussed the American "Western" movie (and TV show) and it's psychological appeal to the British nature.  Hall supposed that what the British really love about the "Western" is that it pits individualism against mass, societal encroachment.  There is some truth to this as the spirit of the American West was founded on Manifest Destiny, which relies upon an unshakable, optimistic belief in progress.  Such optimism is frowned upon by other nations, and the Americans are often criticized for their idealized progressivism.  

Yet, seen through the interpretive eye of the camera and a distorted cinematic experience, the symbol of the American Cowboy is allowed to be extracted as a heroic ideal for everyone to share.  "Cowboy," therefore, is a myth and we all want to believe in and aspire toward.  The "American West" becomes an escape.  It's a place we all want to think exists, mainly because it gives us hope and inspiration.  

Cowboy icons, like "Roy Rogers" and other entertaining heroes who have crossed over from American culture, created a romanticized, childhood fantasy of good always triumphing over evil.  They represented a world where men of honour always win.  There's solid truth in their message, because we do want the good to always win - no one roots for the bad guy.  But, as we get older and see the world, we do start to question the authenticity of this idealism. We start to crave reality over fantasy.  I like to think of this as the moment we trade in Roy Rogers for Will Rogers because, "We can't all be heroes. Somebody has to sit on the curb and applaud when they go by."

I had a great-uncle, Sherman Chase, who was a horse trader of some notoriety many years back.  He had known a fair share of 'Cowboys' in his day.  Uncle Sherm used to say, "Any man can buy himself a nice horse, wear a brimmed hat and call himself a cowboy.  But, that hat ain't no halo and it can't make a bad soul good ... just ask the man's horse.  It's his horse who'll always know the truth."